Island Getaway

It has been 11 years since Harry Rambaransingh packed up his two young sons and left his life as a schoolteacher in Trinidad and Tobago for a new life in the United States.

But his love for the two-island Caribbean nation led Rambaransingh to recall 503 years of the nation's history, starting when Christopher Columbus claimed the island for Spain in 1498, as though he left just yesterday.

Rambaransingh helped kick off the third annual Trinidad & Tobago Multicultural Day by reading a brief history of the nation and its heroes.

"It's a vibrant, cosmopolitan nation, and everyone gets along like one big family," Rambaransingh, of Lake Worth, said. "It's a lot like the Caribbean community of South Florida."

Between 8,000 and 10,000 people attended the festival Sunday in the parking lot of the Lauderhill Mall on State Road 7. Visitors enjoyed live entertainment and food and music from many Caribbean nations, including tassa drumming and chutney dancing from Trinidad via India and Moko Jumbies (stilt-walkers) from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Dennis Hardial, of Margate, president of the nonprofit Caribbean National Cultural Association, organized the event so visitors could enjoy the various island traditions.

"Trinidad and Tobago are good examples of the multicultural nature of the Caribbean," said Hardial, a Trinidadian-American. "Indians, Chinese, Hispanics, Africans, Portuguese, Syrians are all represented in the population of Trinidad and Tobago."

The event has grown steadily since Hardial started the festival three years ago, and it now includes 40 vendors and 14 live acts including the traditional Shiv Shakti dancers and soca great Leon Coldero and the 868 Band.

"I think the growth and success of this event is a reflection of sincere desire in the community for culturally oriented events," Hardial said. "It brings together the different peoples of the Caribbean community, as well as people who would like to know more about them."

Maurice Pendegrast, of Lauderhill, agreed as he danced to the rhythms of the 21st Century Steelband from Miami.

"This is just good music," Pendegrast said. "You can enjoy it no matter where you come from."

Festival-goers were quick to note that the steel drum is a Trinidadian invention.

"They were fashioned from abandoned steel drums," said Myrna Kernahan of the 21st Century Steelband. "And it's the only musical instrument invented in the 20th century."

Participants also enjoyed a children's play area and a display of custom cars from the Solo Creations Car Club.

"We like to come to events like this to have fun and help in the community," said club President Mitch Joseph.

Peter Bernard can be reached at pbernard@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4525.